Full Answer
What are the steps of obtaining a K1 visa?
Ultimate guide: K1 visa process step by step
- Filing I-129F petition to USCIS. The process of bringing your foreign fiance to the US starts with filing I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) with the United States ...
- Receiving NOA1. After sending I-129F Form, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1). ...
- Receiving NOA2. ...
- NVC Processing. ...
- Embassy stage. ...
- Gather Embassy Documents. ...
- Prepare for the interview. ...
How long does the k 1 fiance visa process take?
The K-1 visa processing time typically takes approximately 6-10 months from the date the visa application is filed to the arrival of the alien fiancé (e) to the US. However, if USCIS is suspicious about the marriage or requires more evidence, the process may take longer.
How long does K1 visa take to get approval?
The K-1 processing time can take more than a year from beginning to end. That’s because the approval time for the I-129F by itself takes roughly five to 9 to 12 months. Premium processing is not available for the K-1 visa petition. Did you receive the K-1 visa?
How many times can you apply for a K1 visa?
In general, it is best to only apply for one K1 visa. Not only will you have found last love and a lasting relationship, U.S. immigration officials can be suspicious of people who apply for more than one K1 visa. However, it is possible to apply for multiple K1 visas.
What is the K-1 fiancé visa?
The K-1 visa is used by the fiancé (e) to enter the USA to marry a U.S. citizen. The period of time established by law to carry out the marriage is 90 days maximum.
How much is the K1 visa fee?
Complete and file Form I-129F and pay the filing fee of $ 535. The K1 visa application form can be paid by check or money order made out to: Department of Homeland Security. If you do it by credit card, you must fill out form G-1450.
How to obtain the fiancé visa?
The process and subsequent obtaining of the K-1 visa for the United States includes the following requirements:
How to notify USCIS of a K-1 visa?
If the applicant is moving it is important that they notify USCIS by phone 1-800-375-5283 or by email.
What questions are asked in a K1 visa interview?
Some of the most frequently asked questions in the K1 visa interview are whether you have been married before and where you live. Also if the applicant has been convicted or prosecuted for a crime.
How to verify a K-1 visa?
The processing time of the fiancé K-1 visa can be verified in the letter that the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) sends to the applicant. That is after the agency receives the request and reports having received the documents sent by the embassy.
What is a K-1 visa?
The K-1 visa is one of the most requested types of American non-immigrant visas.
What happened to the K-1 visa?
Two things have happened to the K-1 visa: First, there was the mass murder in San Bernardino ( Calif.) by two Middle Eastern terrorists; the woman involved had been admitted on a K-1 visa. Second was the arrival of the Trump administration, which has started to handle some of the nuances of migration control with rather more skill at ...
Can an alien marry without a K-1 visa?
It only is needed when the alien cannot or will not get a visa to come to the United States and, simultaneously, the citizen cannot or will not fly to the other nation for the marriage. If they really wanted to marry they could do so without a K-1 visa.
Does USCIS grant K-1 visas?
In a 2015 report, I noted that USCIS usually granted the petition (I-129f) that led to the K-1 visa without bothering to interview the citizen seeking it.
Can a spouse get a K visa?
The fine print: There is also a series of immigrant visas available to spouses of citizens and green card holders. Our discussion here is about the K-1 nonimmigrant visa, for the fiancée, and the vast majority of K visas are the K-1s for prospective brides or grooms; there are also K-2 visas for the K-1's child or children, a small number of K-3 visas for alien brides and grooms, and an even smaller number (20 in FY 2016) for the children of K-3's. There are also V-1 visas for fiancées of green-card holders, and V-2 and V-3 visas for the children of V-1's. There are no V-8 visas.
How to apply for a K-1 Fiancé Visa
If you and your fiancé are eligible for a K-1 fiancé visa, you can apply by following this four-step K-1 visa process.
K-1 Fiancé Visa FAQs
No. But it will be much harder to prove that your relationship is legitimate if you are not engaged before you apply.
Conclusion
Filing for a K-1 fiancé visa can be complicated, but working with a good immigration attorney can make it easier. If you can't afford the attorney fees for your K-1 visa application, we may be able to help. If you are eligible, our free web app will walk you through the process and help you prepare and file your application with the U.S.
What is the K-1 fiancé visa?
The K-1 visa allows the foreign-born fiancé of a U.S. citizen to travel to the United States to marry their partner within 90 days of arrival. The foreign spouse can then apply for a marriage green card.
How much does a K1 visa cost?
The United States citizen sponsor files the K1 visa petition with USCIS by mailing the completed I-129F petition package along with a check to the Department of Homeland Security for $510.
What does the K stand for in immigration?
The "K" doesn't actually stand for anything (not a word or phrase). K non immigrant visa applicants are a class defined by sub-paragraph (K) of section 101 (a) (15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The "K" simply refers to the sub-paragraph of this section of the act. Most K visas are K-1's.
How long does it take to receive a notice of action from USCIS?
Two to three weeks after mailing your petition, you will receive a notice of action (NOA1) in the mail indicating USCIS has received your petition. You do nothing at this step.
What happens if a foreign partner doesn't have a passport?
Passport - If the foreign partner doesn't already have a passport, he or she will need to acquire one.
How long does it take to get an I-129F?
The current processing time for Form I-129F (“Petition for Alien Fiancé”) is 8-10 months, plus 4-6 weeks to receive an interview notice.
Which type of petition gets approved faster?
Petitions that are easy to move through and approve tend to get approved faster.
What is the ground of inadmissibility for a K-1 visa?
An important ground of inadmissibility to be aware of is what's known as "public charge.". The K-1 visa applicant must prove that it's unlikely that he or she will receive need-based government assistance in the United States.
Is it worth it to talk to an immigration lawyer?
Don't hesitate to talk to a U.S. immigration lawyer if you need assistance with your case. In many cases, the legal fees are well worth it in terms of time saved and potentially serious mistakes avoided.
Can an alien be on a K-1 visa?
It's possible that the alien is not eligible for any type of visa to the United States. For example, foreigners with specified communicable diseases of public health significance (most notably tuberculosis), those who are addicted to illegal drugs, those with a history of being involved with terrorism, and those who have committed crimes of moral turpitude are not eligible for K-1 visas or visas of any other type. See more on immigrant inadmissibility.
Why is the K-1 visa rejected?
Sometimes it’s the small things that can significantly delay a petition or even cause a denial. In most cases, simple errors and omissions in the Form I-129F will cause a rejection. Although the petitioner can easily resubmit the petition, it generally creates a significant delay in the K-1 visa process. Each year USCIS rejects thousands of forms because people simply forget to sign them.
Can a foreign national seek marriage?
Foreign nationals – often women – seek entry to the United States. U.S. citizens – often men – seek a marriage. Unfortunately, the leverage that the U.S. citizen holds over the intending immigrant can be the impetus for some abusive situations. The basic provisions of the IMBRA:
Does Citizenpath provide K-1?
CitizenPath’s service covers these requirements with detailed filing instructions to make sure you include adequate evidence. We also provide a sample K-1 declaration that addresses many of these criteria.
Do K-1s interview without spouse?
Some applicants who are surprised by the questions may appear guarded or anxious. Most K-1 applicants will interview without the U.S . spouse.
Can a K-1 visa be denied?
The law itself could force immigration officials to deny a K-1 visa. If the U.S. citizen has failed to share information about a criminal history or past petitions with the foreign national fiancé, the disclosure of the information to the foreign national could result in a canceled engagement.
